Indian business tycoon Vijay Mallya has suffered another legal defeat as the High Court in London dismissed his appeal against a bankruptcy order first issued in 2021. The ruling, delivered by Judge Anthony Mann, confirms Mallya’s status as bankrupt in the United Kingdom, marking a significant victory for a consortium of Indian banks that have been pursuing repayment of over £1 billion in debts.

The group of lenders—led by the State Bank of India—has been locked in a prolonged legal struggle with Mallya since the collapse of his once-flagship carrier, Kingfisher Airlines. The airline, which ceased operations in 2012, left behind substantial unpaid loans and triggered a series of lawsuits in both India and the UK. Mallya had argued that the banks had already recovered large portions of the money through the seizure of Indian assets and that the bankruptcy order should no longer apply.

However, the UK High Court did not accept these arguments. Judge Mann, in his ruling, emphasized that there were still considerable amounts owed, and the bankruptcy order was valid and necessary. “The bottom line, to put it colloquially, is that the bankruptcy order stands,” he said, delivering a clear rejection of Mallya’s attempts to reverse the legal status.

This decision opens the path for creditors to recover more funds from Mallya’s UK-based assets under bankruptcy laws. It also solidifies the legal backing for the Indian lenders who have been trying to enforce a 2017 Indian court judgment in foreign jurisdictions.

Meanwhile, Mallya remains entangled in another critical legal fight: an ongoing extradition case. Indian authorities have been seeking his return to face charges of fraud and financial mismanagement linked to the downfall of Kingfisher Airlines. Although the UK government approved his extradition in 2020, Mallya continues to resist it, citing what his legal team claims are "pending confidential matters."

The Indian businessman, once hailed as the “King of Good Times” for his lavish lifestyle and flashy persona, has lived in the UK since fleeing India in 2016. While his lawyers have not commented on the latest court ruling, the outcome further tightens the legal and financial pressure surrounding Mallya.

With both his appeal against bankruptcy dismissed and extradition threats looming, Mallya's legal battles appear far from over. Yet, this latest ruling undeniably marks a turning point—one that brings his creditors closer to reclaiming the massive sums tied up in one of India's most high-profile financial collapses.